Biographical sketch of Felicita Vestvali. “This operatic singer made her first appearance in opera in New York, May 1855, at the Academy of Music, with Brignoli and Amodio, in ‘Il Trovatore,’ on its first representation in this city. She had appeared previous to this, at the Metropolitan Theatre (‘Winter Garden’), meeting with great success, in the drinking song of ‘Lucrezia,’ which has never been equaled in this country. Visited Philadelphia, September, 1855, and made her debut on the 29th, at Music Fund Hall, in concert. Visited England, and returning to this country, re-appeared in New York, May 25th, 1863, at the ‘Winter Garden,’ in an English version of Gluck’s ‘Orpheus.’ Her career at this establishment was of short duration. Her audiences were not as large as we could have wished, both for her sake and for the sake of the management, but they were composed of those who appreciated spirited representations of character. At times her acting is immensely thrilling, and she possesses a power over her audiences which moves them to tears or smiles, at pleasure. She is a finished artist in the profession she has chosen and her accomplishments show us how much perfection may be attained by humanity when its powers and energies are pushed in one direction. We heard her in opera and in the concert room, eight years ago, and after having traveled all over the world, we now find her in the very prime of life, so far as graceful acting, perfect health, and intonations of voice are concerned. She is a singer of great beauty, and, by her expressive style, and a voice of decided superiority, she fairly captivates, while she charms the listener. Her late performances in New York at the ‘Winter Garden,’ were characterized by all that freshness, vigor, fine intonation, and musical power she always exhibits in operas or concerts. Her rendition of the drinking song, in the opera of 'Lucrezia Borgia,' is one of the most superb pieces of vocalization ever heard in this country, not surpassed by even the renowned Jenny Lind.”
